When a kick-start is paid

The kick-start is paid into your account about 3 months after Inland Revenue receives:

your first contribution, or

notification of your membership.

The kick-start is not a cash payment - it goes straight into your account.

You can only get one kick-start

You can only get the kick-start once. If you stop being a KiwiSaver member, for example you move overseas, you won't get another payment even if you've returned to New Zealand and started another KiwiSaver account.